Asumiko NAKAMURA (中村明日美子) is a Japanese manga artist. Born in 1979, she is one of Japan's hidden gems. The artist has penned a lot of titles since 2002 and has reached critical acclaim for her sensitive protrayals of romantic narratives featuring a wide range of characters - men and women, young and old. Nakamura has worked in a range of genres for an equally broad range of audinces winning recognition in every category.
Lovely sequel to Dou Kyu Sei , Sotsu Gyo Sei - Winter follows Sajo and Kusakabe as they approach their graduation.
The story is sweet and tender, with an additional sense of melancholy added through the backstory of Hare sensei and the plotline following Sajo's family troubles.
The long-limbed and elegant drawings are once again wonderfully done and full of a unique atmosphere.
A more articulate review after volume 3, which will be published in the UK at the very beginning of December.
Estoy chillando de verdad desde que leí el primer manga de estos pelotudos me quería comprar este tomo y de verdad me encanto es lo mejor del mundo los amo demasiado help...aunque el profesor es medio raro puede que esa sea la única cosa que no me esta gustando hasta ahora de estos mangas pero todo lo demás es pura PERFECCION
Ahhh, it's been almost 8 years since I read a scanlation of this story online (my first manga series!), so I didn't remember a lot. It's such a nice slice of life and I absolutely adore the mangaka's style, particularly the way she draws eyes and facial expressions. Bless Kusakabe, I love him so much, he's so sweet!
Reread 7/11/2022* I was about to just repeat my last review lol. I think the end of this volume/beginning of the next one is my favorite part of the series (at least of the first part) because of how much their relationship and their characters develop. Hara-sensei is still so gross and creepy. I feel 0 sympathy for him. There was too much of him this volume, but the Hikaru x Rihito moments were super cute at least.
*Original Review 6/18/2020* Their relationship develops so much in this volume! I'm annoyed they cut so much out from the movie. Kind of don't care about the teacher and his struggle with having a crush on a student cause ew. He's 35 why's he so interested in a 17/18 year old... But ah! Hikaru is so cute and his struggle with knowing how to comfort Sajo is so relatable. I feel like the boys are still so distant tho. I wish they could communicate more/better :(
No sabría explicar el por qué, pero me resulta diferente a lo que suelo leer normalmente. Aún así la verdad es que me está gustando bastante y me parecen super cutes.
Is it kind of light on plot? Yes. But is it heavy on adorable and the charm of two people carefully figuring out what this whole "love" thing is? Also yes. The latter definitely makes up for the former.
So, I just read Classmates a few days ago, hoping that it was a series and not finished in one volume only ((yes it's finished in one volume)). Then yesterday, I found out that this book had a sequel, and not just one sequel, but three or so! I was so over the moon. This is the best thing that happened to me this weekend LOL.
Okay stop rambling, back to reviewing!
After reading this, I noticed that I was already used to Nakamura-sensei's artstyle. I think I'm starting to feel attached to those overly long neck and limbs and Kusakabe's abnormal hair-style LMAO. I really love how the plot is simple yet realistic. It becomes more complex; talking about trust, mutual understanding, families, graduating, how they sorting out their future, and further relationship as they were moving onward. They matured. And they continue to develop and grow to be a better person. I feel like a proud mother [wiping tears].
I love the way they solve their problems by talking. Heart-to-heart conversation really is the best problem solver.
The slowburn is still there, standing firm and strong ((—mmmh yesh loved it)). Storyline and flow was great. Kusakabe is still hilarious and sweet and Sajou is still cute and adorable as always. I make too many [dolphin squealing noises] here and there. Can't even count it. [sigh] I adore them so much. Cuties. My soft bois [smooch].
I'm really glad I decided to pick up this series. Such a fun, light, and enjoyable read.
Mmmmm...ok, la atracion del profesor hacia Sajou me empezo a incomodar bastante en esté tomo, osea literal hasta empiezan a hablar como si nada (con otro profe) de la atraccion que sintieron por un MENOR y un ESTUDIANTE, y mas encima lo hablan como si fuera natural cuando no lo es, lo tratan como si fuera bueno, eso fue algo no puedo ignorar, mas encima el profe cuando era mas chico se beso con su profesor. Nose me causa conflicto no entiendo que cosa querian demostrar exactamente, pero el sabor de boca que me dejo no me lo quitas. Aparte se pelea con Kusakabe, a pesar que el adulto es él.
Y por otra parte la relacion entre Kusakabe y Sajou no se vio mucho y siento que varias cosas serian mas faciles si hablaran.
No sé en qué estaba pensando el autor/a cuando consideró que era buena idea agregar a un profesor MAYOR de edad enamorado/obsesionado de un estudiante MENOR de edad. Y, encima, lo trata como comedia. Debe ser una puta broma. Si la historia no se va a centrar en este problema tan enorme del abuso de poder y pedofilia, ¿cuál es la necesidad de agregarlo?, ¿un mero capricho?
No entiendo. Si tienes dos buenos personajes protagonistas que su relación da para muchísima trama y tiene el potencial para ser una obra decente, ¿para qué la caga agregando a un enfermo mental?
En este tomo se nos muestra como la relación en Sajo y Kusakabe sigue avanzando a través de todas las cosas que pasan mientras siguen estudiando. Además, se nos presenta un poco más al profesor Hara y su pasado. Al igual que el primero, me ha cautivado y sentía que no podía apartar la mirada ni por un segundo de una historia tan preciosa. Se muestran los problemas típicos que pueden llegar a tener las parejas a esas edades lo cual me parece que le da un buen toque de realismo. El dibujo de este manga es bastante curioso a la vez que bonito y creo que (por alguna extraña razón) no hubiese quedado también otro tipo de dibujo. Algo que me gusta es ver como se nota que su relación a evolucionado debido a que ahora Sajo se ve mas abierto y deja que Kusakabe pase cierto límite que me dio la sensación que en el primer tomo no habría dejado que pasará. Estoy ansiosa por como termina esta historia de amor que hasta ahora se está convirtiendo en una de mis favoritas.
this one was a bit more jumbled than the last one, and all the hara-sen scenes make me feel super uncomfortable. idk why they tryna humanize/make me feel pity for him… he’s a fucking weirdo perv. anyways. still biased towards this cuz i fell in love with the movie. tbh it don’t seem like the couple has that much chemistry. a really high 2.5/barely a 3. still enjoyed it though and looking forward to continuing reading
felt like not much happened in this volume. thought the synopsis was going to be the entire manga, but it only happened in the last chapter, so i guess it'll continue into the next volume?
also, can they talk about themselves and learn more about each other?
As soft and lovely as the first volume. What I like about this story is that the relationship actually got established pretty early on; it's not a constant tug of will-they-won't-they. That type of narrative can certainly be enjoyable, and I've read my fair share, but there's a special pleasure in reading about two people who've already gotten past that stage and are caught up in all the complications of building a life together.
Here we have Kusakabe taking steps to turn his passion (music) into an actual career, while Sajo pursues the more traditional route, spending his evenings cramming in more studying for his upcoming university entrance exams. Although Sajo is still much more uptight and hesitant than his exuberantly affectionate boyfriend, the trust between them is growing firmer by the day, as is his comfort level with taking the initiative.
The book closes out with the story that the back cover highlighted as the central plot of this volume, probably because it's the only part with any real substance (the rest, like in the first volume, are snapshots of their time together, which is another element I find uniquely compelling; it's like a visual poem, in many ways).
When Sajo finds out his mother has cancer and will need to go through extensive treatment for it, there's an immediate opportunity to throw some angst into the mix and to pull his relationship with Kusakabe apart. After all, he barely had time for a boyfriend as it was; now, with his time split between school, university prep, and the hospital, won't it be too much to add another person into the mix? That does happen for a brief blip, when Kusakabe tries to invite himself over to help and Sajo snaps. This could've easily led to a breakup talk or to Kusakabe storming off with hurt feelings. Instead, Kusakabe takes another mature step forward: acknowledging that his offer was more selfish than he'd intended, and that he'll truly be available for any help Sajo needs. All Sajo has to do is ask.
Things do come to a head, but not in the way you expect. Sajo breaks again, this time because he's carrying too much of his family's weight without complaint for too long. The volume closes out with him doing exactly what Kusakabe had asked: reaching out for help when he needs it.
Se devo proprio essere onesta (ma sforzandomi davvero) posso ammettere per mezzo secondo che in effetti pure io mi sono meravigliata che nessuno denunciasse il professore mandrillone che irretisce studenti delle superiori. Per darvi un'idea della realtà alternativa popolata solo da actual gay (o ex) di Compagni di classe. Però.
Però è Asumiko Nakamura, voglio dire. Se una disegna così, io posso perdonarle tantissimo. Anche il fatto che quando entra in scena il suddetto docente, pure la solidità della sua convinzione di quale sia la coppia protagonista vada a farsi benedire (I feel you, Asumiko sensei).
Sarebbero due stellette e mezzo, ma diventano tre grazie a Tani, l'amico di Kusakabe cacciapalle con la faccia disegnata con 3 righe 3. Presumo l'unico etero dell'intero volume.
Me comí este tomo en un día, la verdad es que fluye perfectamente y es una maravilla de leer.
Podemos ver poquito a poco como va avanzando la relación de Sajo y Kusakabe y todos los momentos dulces que comparten mientras profundizan más y más su relación. También hay mucho contenido de Hara y yo amo a ese hombre así que contentísimo estoy.
El tomo acaba encima en una parte muy buena que te da ganas de empezarte el siguiente volumen al instante.
Сега вече (пред свършен факт, но както и да е) разбирам как е възможно някой да погледне Кусакабе и да си каже "Тоооочно герой за Камия Хироши". Мда, има правилния фейс :D Този том е малко тежък за четене. Дотолкова, че се колебая дали звездите да са му четири, но пък артът си е на ниво и... Така. Сенсеят все пак прилича буквално на сериен убиец :D